Getting dh on board with budget

[3kidz]

How do you get your husbands to try and stick to a budget? What I really don't like is all the money we spend on cable. He think he has to have HD TV. He tells me it's not much more money because we have the cable combined with internet. If it were up to me, I'd sell the car and get something cheaper and cut back on other expenses. I create a budget every month & it's blown after our first paycheck. Help!

[SAHMto3boys]

I don't know that I'm the best person to give advice... my dh is only on board a little bit... BUT, here goes!

I think when it comes to budgeting he needs to be involved! It's one thing Dave Ramsey stresses! If you're doing the budget by yourself and telling him to stick to it you're gonna have a lot harder time than if you ask him to help you. If he looks at the numbers, sees your income and debt, etc and STILL wants to have the cable then maybe you should give in for a while (if you can afford it), or maybe talk him into going without for a month or so! I've heard that after a couple of weeks most people don't miss it at all!

The car thing may be the same thing - write out exactly what you owe - work up a couple of scenarios and show him exactly what you could save by getting rid of it, etc!

Another thing that's helped with our sticking to the budget is going to cash! Get rid of the credit cards first thing, then the debit cards if he's likely to overspend with that! Both of you get cash - once it's gone, it's gone! This is fool proof (as long as he doesn't have access to the bank account or credit cards)! You can't overspend cash you don't have!!

Anyway, hope this helps! Good luck!

Oh, and if you haven't read Dave Ramsey's "The Total Money Makeover", I HIGHLY recommend it!

[ember15]

I agree he needs to get involved even if it means he is handling the budget for a month or two. I read the Smart Couples finish rich book and it was great for getting us on the same page.

My DH grumbles about not having everything his friends have but I have to remind him that we have friends that are far worse off too and everyone is in a different place.

When things get really tight DH has to do our finances because it is something that makes him reallize once again that little things add up fast.

[MissLucie]

I give my dh an allowence and a cc for emergencies.
He complies w/ my money saving strategies, since he's seen an advancement in our finances.
He's the sole provider and I'm the only one that takes care of the checkbook.
My dh is great about letting me do this and trusts my judgment 100%.